A former Tyler banker is back in custody after authorities say he stole thousands of dollars from an elderly woman’s bank account, both before and after her death.
James Dale Turner, 34, of Tyler, was held Tuesday at the Smith County Jail on a $25,000 bond for a warrant charging him with exploitation of the elderly.
The case came to light in October 2025, when a Regions Bank employee reported suspicious activity to Tyler police. An executor of the woman’s estate had requested account statements, prompting a review. The bank manager noted a questionable transaction: a cashier’s check issued by Turner, who had been fired earlier that year for a similar fraud scheme.
Police review of bank records revealed dozens of transactions totaling more than $17,000 over a seven-month period, some occurring after the woman died on Feb. 10, 2025.
When questioned by police, Turner admitted to issuing cashier’s checks and depositing them into his personal account at another bank. According to the affidavit, he could not recall the total amount stolen and claimed he was unaware of the woman’s death.
Turner was arrested Monday and released shortly before noon Tuesday, records show.
Authorities noted that Turner had faced similar charges in September 2025, at which time he explained he was going through bankruptcy and nearing homelessness while moving out of his mother-in-law’s home.
A spokesperson for Regions Bank, Ashley Foster, confirmed that the woman’s estate has been fully reimbursed. “We appreciate the diligence of law enforcement and the quick thinking of our associates when suspicious activity is detected,” Foster said.
Turner is charged with a third-degree felony, which carries a potential prison sentence of 2–10 years and a fine up to $10,000 if convicted.
